[Editorial] Brain drain must end

The exodus of top minds from the scientific and technological communities has become a serious problem. Owing to the departure for foreign climes of core manpower in high-tech information-technology fields, some research institutes are said to be struggling to fill the gap. It is feared that the foundation of the nation`s research work is being eroded and that Korea will find it increasingly difficult to compete with advanced countries in the scientific and technological sectors.

More worrisome is the fact that the outflow of scientific and technological manpower shows no signs of abating. Recently, 19 top-flight technicians from the Korea Electronic Communications Commission in the Daedok Complex, a mecca of the nation`s scientific and technological research, were lured abroad, a marked increase from a combined nine in 1998-99. It is to be noted that from 1999, the number of emigrants for employment purposes saw a substantial increase, outnumbering those for investment and other reasons, and that last year, employment emigrants occupied two-thirds of all Koreans moving to other countries.

The primary reason for the "brain drain" is unfavorable conditions for research and there is little hope of any improvements in this area. The amount of compensation given these researchers is unduly low compared to those working in research centers in foreign countries. Of late, the budget for research institutes was even further reduced.

Researchers at state-run institutes are understandably apprehensive about their future under three-year employment contracts, a system that was first introduced in 1998. In a survey, 39 out of 40 respondents doing research for the state expressed their intention to leave, a clear indication that conditions at domestic research organizations are at a low ebb.

The exodus of talented researchers is also ascribed to the government`s failure to offer the type of incentives that would convince them to stay. The United States this year increased the number of visas offered to professionals to 195,000 from 115,000 in 2000. This is intended to introduce as much high-quality manpower as possible at American research centers. Germany decided to issue special working visas and Britain and Canada newly set up funds to prevent the outflow of highly skilled technicians. China is set to grant right of residence and provide housing in hopes of inducing those who are studying abroad to return to their homeland.

Part of the reason for the outflow of the nation`s top researchers is the enforcement of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout program. Due to the ongoing economic woes, the government was obliged to push ahead with structural reforms at local research institutes. Notwithstanding, research for the development of new technologies and new products is essential as we embark upon a new century of science and technology. Unless we make bold investments in the future of Korean science and technology, the nation will continue to grapple with manpower shortages at its research centers.